Experience:
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Education:
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Training:
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Top 5 Skills

Top 5 Abilities

Critical Thinking —
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Active Listening —
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking —
Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Social Perceptiveness —
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Reading Comprehension —
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Oral Comprehension —
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Oral Expression —
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Inductive Reasoning —
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Near Vision —
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Problem Sensitivity —
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

Knowledge

Importance

Area of Knowledge

87

Law and Government —
Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

83

Public Safety and Security —
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

73

English Language —
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

64

Customer and Personal Service —
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

61

Psychology —
Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

55

Clerical —
Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Geography —
Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.

52

Sociology and Anthropology —
Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.

52

Education and Training —
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

51

Foreign Language —
Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.

46

Transportation —
Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

Education requirements range from a high school diploma to a college degree. Most police and detectives must graduate from their agency's training academy before completing a period of on-the-job training. Candidates must be U.S. citizens, usually at least 21 years old, and able to meet rigorous physical and personal qualifications.

Source: MyPlan.com, LLC, 2016; includes information from the O*NET 20.3 database, 2016, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-2024 Edition. O*NET™ is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.

Interesting Fact

Washington, D.C. has by far the lowest unemployment rate of any major city in the U.S. at 3.5%.

Did you know...

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